Community policing is not a synonym 'soft on crime.' Community policing is a preventative strategy, designed to reduce the amount of crime in a traditionally crime-ridden area. The process of community policing attempts to involve the local population in policing and making the community safer for its residents. It recognizes that, even amongst law-abiding citizens, there is often a hostile relationship between the civilian population and the police force, especially if the police force is not recruited from the community. By involving the community in policing efforts such as organizing a neighborhood watch, by increasing a visible but friendly presence of officers in the community, and recruiting officers from the local population, community policing creates a safer atmosphere and thus contributes to a safer neighborhood, and creates a more cooperative atmosphere between residents and the police force.

Scenario 2: Sexism

The female officer must first be made aware that the personal attitudes of the two male officers making the sexually explicit jokes while on duty is unacceptable and is not reflective of official department policy. Later, the two male officers should be taken aside and reminded of the gender-inclusive nature of the police force, the department policy on sexual harassment, and warned that such language, even in jest, is not acceptable while they are on the job, and in uniform.

Scenario 3: Officer Smith

Although Officer Smith may be a productive officer, his attitude and demeanor is a detriment to the productivity of others and to the cohesion of the police force. Although the other officers may like him, by belittling another officer, and not showing respect for department policy, Smith is making policing more difficult in the long run. Mediation through a third party, ideally provided by the department for such purposes, is needed between Smith and those persons he has a personality conflict, before the conflict escalates.